Lithography accessory



arch 21, 1967 J. F. BLANDIN 3,310,355

LITHOGRAPHY ACCESSORY Filed May 12, 1965 IO ZO ZI 6 FIGZ INVENTOR. JOHN F. BLANDIN United States Patent 3,31%,355 LITHGGRAPHY ACCESSORY John F. Blandin, 2817 NW. 9th Terrace, Wilton Manors, Fort Lauderdaie, Fla. 33311 Filed May 12, 1965, Ser. No. 455,251 1 Claim. (Cl. 312-481) This invention relates in general to the lithographic printing art and in more particularly to a lithographing accessory.

It is common practice in the lithography art today to keep the light-sensitive lithographic lates in the original containers in which they are shipped. The package is provided with a lightproof foil, or some such covering, and this covering is opened each time a plate is to be removed, then reclosed.

After exposure of the plate to the negative, the operator usually carries the plate to a nearby table or any rel-atively flat surface, oftentimes covered with a newspaper, goes to his storage place for chemicals, returns to the table and rubs up the plate, then returns the chemicals to their storage location or locations. This entire process requires considerable movement from place to place and in most shops is completely disorganized.

It is the primary object of my invention, therefore, to provide a lithography accessory which combines a lightproof storage space for unexposed lithographic plates, a storage section for chemicals and such used in processing or developing the plates, and a space for rubbing up and developing the exposed plates.

'It is a further object of the invention to provide a device which centralizes the activity of the operator so that time and energy are conserved in the plate treating steps of the lithographic rocess.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a lithographic accessory which is portable from one location to another to satisfy the desires or needs of the operator.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a lithography tray which is lightweight, simple in con struction, inexpensive to produce and assemble, which will withstand prolonged and constant tough handling, and still possess great strength and durability.

Other objects, advantages, and capabilities will be more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a lithographing accessory according to my invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the lines 2-2 of FIGURE 1, with the lid in the raised position illustrated in dotted line.

The basic frame of the device 5 is comprised of a front member 6, a back member 7, side members 8 and 9, and bottom 10. Cross member 11 extends between ends 8 and 9 and accommodates hinge 12, shown here as a piano type hinge, of lid 13.

Lid 13 is comprised of end members 16 and 17, back member 18 and top surface 19. Side 9 is cut out at 14 to accommodate end 16 of lid 13; side 8 is cut out at 15 to accommodate end 17.

If desired, ends 16 and 17 and back 18 of lid 13 may be eliminated and the lid hinged directly to cross member 11. If this is done, the gasket 20, described subsequently, will prevent chemicals from running down into the storage section.

Extending along the surface of cut out portions 14 and 15, along the top of front member 6 and along the front of cross member 11 is resilient gasket 20, made of any suit-able pliable material impervious to light.

Due to gasket 20, the members 19, 18, 11, 6, 10, 8,

Patented Mar. 21, 1967 lCe and 9 fonn a lightproof compartment 21 when lid 13 is in its lowermost positon.

Members 7, it, 9, 10, and 11 form a convenient storage space 22 immediately to the rear of and adjacent to lightproof compartment 21.

Operation and use of my invention is as follows: unexposed plates are placed in compartment 21 for storage. Gasket 23 prevents any ambient light from entering the compartment and harming the plates.

When a plate is needed, the portion of surface 19 which extends beyond front member 6 is grasped and lid 13 is lifted to the dotted line position shown in FIG- URE 2. The plate is removed and lid 13 replaced to its lowermost position. The time necessary to remove the plate is very short therefore not enough light enters the compartment 21 to noticably affect the plates.

The plate is then exposed to the negative in an exposure frame alongside which tray 5 may be located. After exposure the plate is then placed on flat surface 19 of lid 13. If desired, the plate may be clamped to surface 19 with plate clamps of the type in common use in the art today, with the portion of lid 13 which extends beyond member 6 providing space for accommodation of the clamps. The plate is rubbed up to develop it with chemicals which are stored within easy reach in compartment 22.

Once the plate has been developed the surface 19 of lid 13 may be wiped clean With a cloth or such and the tray is again in readiness for use.

Note will be taken that due to the tray-like construction of lid 13, and since lid 13 extends over the edges of 8 and 9, there is no possibility of chemicals running from surface 19 down into compartment 21.

It is contemplated that the entire device be made of, or at least coated with, a material which is impervious to the chemicals used in lithographic processes and which is easy cleaned.

Although only one embodiment of my invention has been shown and described, it is understood that it is not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention, but on the contrary, is given for purposes of illustration in order that others skilled in the art may fully understand the invention and the principles thereof, and the manner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify and adapt it in various forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use, and still be Within the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

A lithography accessory comprising (a) a first storage compartment,

(b) said first storage compartment comprised of four sides, a bottom, and a movable top,

(c) said movable top being hinged to one of said sides,

(d) a resilient gasket of lightproof material between the top of three of the sides and the movable top,

(e) a resilient gasket between the face of the fourth side and the movable top,

(f) a second storage compartment adjacent said first storage compartment,

(g) said second storage compartment sharing a common side with said first storage compartment,

(h) said movable top being hinged to said common side,

(i) said second storage compartment being open at the top,

(j) said movable top of said first storage compartment providing a flat surface area,

(k) said movable top extending beyond the side of said first storage compartment directly opposite to the side to which said top is hinged,

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1879 Shepherd 312-233 8/1890 Andrews 312-231 221L660 8/1940 Kidd et a1. 312-231 3,061,394 10/1962 \V'netstone 312-256 3,186,539 6/1965 Sims 312231 X CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Examiner.

F. DC-MOTOR, Assistant Examiner. 

